Reluctant to score a wine that is 5 years outside its consumption window, but this is 89-90 still. Astonishing for a grape more noted as an accent addition in a blend. Well settled in the bottle. Presents nicely, like a classic dark claret. Nose is typical wet earth and barnyard straw upon the initial pour. That extends through the olfactory experience. A solid licorice backbone that follows through deep into the palate. Was expecting dark chocolate but the licorice saturated it in a long finish. Though noted at 14%, it felt just a little hot, like a California Zinfandel. I truly wish this was not my last bottle as I would love to test folks in a blind tasting to try to identify this one. It has a superb character all around. If it had more residual tannins and a touch of complexity, it would fool people as a considerably expensive wine. Petit Verdot deserves a lot more respect than it gets. Kudos to the Aussies in coaxing out the greatness. And I would have sworn it was from a major European terroir. Wondering how this will evolve over the next hours.
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(Brunner: Stew night with Mich&Bo, Suyi, Debbie and Justina) This is a solidly-built wine. Dark berries, smoke, violets, lifted with hints of coconut, vanilla and fresh blossoms. On tasting, tannins are indeed firm, but surprisingly fine, almost velvety already, giving the dark-fruit and spice structure a clean, soaring transparency. The finish is suitably sustained, with more clarity and minty zing. Surprisingly enjoyable on its own!
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I loved this wine. A very dark purple with aromas of dark berries, baking spice, bittersweet chocolate and violets. Rich black/blueberry, baking spice, licorice, cinnamon flavors with a touch of oak. This is a big, concentrated, complex wine. Firm tannins and a long spicy finish make this wine a little wild and exciting. I wish I had bought another bottle to keep in the cellar over the next couple of years.
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Nez complexe: odeurs de cerises noires, de médicament (sirop) de fumée et de goudron. Bouche: pleine et ronde avec une acidité mordante, très bien équilibrée et passablement tannique. Le vin est TRÈS LONG EN BOUCHE. Excellent.
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5/20/2019 - sonofabacchus wrote: 90 Points
Reluctant to score a wine that is 5 years outside its consumption window, but this is 89-90 still. Astonishing for a grape more noted as an accent addition in a blend. Well settled in the bottle. Presents nicely, like a classic dark claret. Nose is typical wet earth and barnyard straw upon the initial pour. That extends through the olfactory experience. A solid licorice backbone that follows through deep into the palate. Was expecting dark chocolate but the licorice saturated it in a long finish. Though noted at 14%, it felt just a little hot, like a California Zinfandel. I truly wish this was not my last bottle as I would love to test folks in a blind tasting to try to identify this one. It has a superb character all around. If it had more residual tannins and a touch of complexity, it would fool people as a considerably expensive wine. Petit Verdot deserves a lot more respect than it gets. Kudos to the Aussies in coaxing out the greatness. And I would have sworn it was from a major European terroir. Wondering how this will evolve over the next hours.
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4/28/2012 - JerM wrote: 92 Points
(Brunner: Stew night with Mich&Bo, Suyi, Debbie and Justina) This is a solidly-built wine. Dark berries, smoke, violets, lifted with hints of coconut, vanilla and fresh blossoms. On tasting, tannins are indeed firm, but surprisingly fine, almost velvety already, giving the dark-fruit and spice structure a clean, soaring transparency. The finish is suitably sustained, with more clarity and minty zing. Surprisingly enjoyable on its own!
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4/2/2011 - BigTarheel wrote: 86 Points
Solid but a little lean through the middle; some dark cherry and spice, ready to drink
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9/12/2010 - d2 wrote: 90 Points
I loved this wine. A very dark purple with aromas of dark berries, baking spice, bittersweet chocolate and violets. Rich black/blueberry, baking spice, licorice, cinnamon flavors with a touch of oak. This is a big, concentrated, complex wine. Firm tannins and a long spicy finish make this wine a little wild and exciting. I wish I had bought another bottle to keep in the cellar over the next couple of years.
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9/11/2010 - AAD wrote: 90 Points
Nez complexe: odeurs de cerises noires, de médicament (sirop) de fumée et de goudron. Bouche: pleine et ronde avec une acidité mordante, très bien équilibrée et passablement tannique. Le vin est TRÈS LONG EN BOUCHE. Excellent.
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